Two-way mailing envelope



March 17, 1959 J. HYMAN TWO-WAY MAILING ENVELOPE 3 Shet-Sheet 1 Filed A112. 23, 1956 ad Z 00m ML 8& m3 $95090 OTJ Zo IN V EN TOR.

March 17, 1959 J. HYMAN 2,877,944

TWO-WAY MAILING ENVELOPE Filed Aug. 25, 1956 3 SheetS-Sheet2 INVENTOR.

. 7-0 Je me lyman ATTORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 23. 1956 INVENTOR.

Jeropze #lyhmh MW 0.0. 00x ivO 0 335093 ATTORNEY TWO-WAY MAILING ENVELOPE Jerome Hyman, Urban Township, Johnson County, Kane, assignor to Tension Envelope Corporation, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Application August 23, 1956, Serial No. 605,765

4 Claims. (Cl. 229-73) This invention relates to an envelope of the type commonly known as a two-way mailing envelope in that it is adapted to be used after the first mailing to return an enclosure.

The principal object of the invention is to providevan envelope of this character that may be sent out under third class postal regulations and returned under first class postal regulations.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an envelope for two-way mailing having a detachable appendage or fly which covers the address area for the return mailing and which carries the address for the first mailing; to provide for retention of the fly in covering relation with the return address by the closure flap of the envelope; to provide an envelope with a closure flap having dual seals, one forming a quickly detachable connection with the cover fly and the other a firm connection to close securely the insert opening to the pocket of the envelope; to provide the cover fly with means for limiting the extent of the seal of the closure flap therewith; and to provide an envelope construction in which the appendage or fly may be lifted for postal inspection without breaking the spot seal.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an envelope for two-way mailing that is readily made on a high speed rotary envelope making machine.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an envelope constructed in accordance with the present invention and as it appears when ready for the first mailing.

Fig. 2 is a similar view but showing the closure or sealing flap in open position and the appendage or fly lifted to better illustrate the construction of the envelope.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the envelope as it appears for the return or second mailing.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the appendage or fly being detached and a part of the envelope broken away to better illustrate the main pocket and a supplementary pocket therein for containing coins or the like.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the blank from which the envelope was formed.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, and illustrating the envelope ready for the first mailing.

- Fig. 7 is a perspective view with the closure flap open and the appendage or fly lifted to better illustrate the construction thereof.

1 Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the envelope as shown in'Fig. 6 after the appendage or fly has been detached and the closure flap sealed ready for the return or second mailing.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the detached fly.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the blank from which the envelope shown in Fig. 6 is formed, the flapsthereof States Patent Patented Mar. 17, 1959 and ends of a rectangular area 7, wings 8 and 9 extend ing laterally from the sides of the area 7, and bottom and top closure flaps 10 and 11 projecting from the ends of the area 7. If desired, the inner face of the area 7 may be provided with a patch 12. The patch 12 is of rectangular shape and is positioned on the area 7 with an edge 13 thereof extending along the score or fold line 6 and edges 14 and 15 parallel with the scores or fold lines 3 and 4. The marginal portions along the side edges 14 and 15 and the remaining edge, designated 16, are secured to the area 7 by stripes of adhesive 17 to form a supplementary pocket 18 that is open along the edge 13. The wing 8 is substantially coextensive with the area 7, so that when it is folded on the line 3 the outer edge 19 thereof extends along the score 4. The

; wing 9 is also of substantially the same width as the area 7 but is provided with a line of severance such as a series of perforations 20 spaced inwardly from the line of fold 4 so that the area therebetween constitutes a relatively narrow side flap 21 and a relatively wider appendage or fly 22 adapted to overlap the outer side of the wing 8 when the blank is folded. The upper edges 23 and 23 of the wings 8 and 9 when the wings are folded are substantially coextensive and the lower edge 25 of the wing 8 and the lower end 25 of the side flap 21 are substantially coextensive with the line of fold 5, but the lower edge 26 of the fly 22 is offset upwardly a distance slightly greater than the depth of the bottom flap 10, so that when the bottom flap is folded over the wing 8 and the lower end of the side flap 21, the edge 26 clears the transverse edge 27 of the bottom flap, as shown in Fig. 1.

The closure flap 11 is coextensive with the fold 6 and is of a depth to provide an area 28 sutficient for containing a small spot of gum 29 spaced from the fold 6 a sufficient distance to accommodate therebetween a separate transverse gum stripe 31 that connects gummed areas 32 and 33 on the respective sides of the area 28 whereby the closure flap may be spot sealed to the fly 22 or sealed across substantially the entire width of the body of the envelope, as later to be described. In order to limit the extent of the spot seal with the fly, the fly has a circle of gum repellant 30 thereon that is centered around the gum spot when the closure flap is sealed to the fly, as later to be described.

The blank, prior to folding, is preferably printed on the outer side of the wing 8 with the name and address of the first sender, as indicated at 34. The back of the area 7 and corresponding side of the closure flap may also be printed with advertising matter or the like, and the corresponding side of the appendage or fly 22 may be printed with a mailing stamp as indicated at 35 for the first mailing. The circle 30 of gum repellent may also be printed on the fly with, for example, an oil or grease ink. A stamp place area or a prepaid stamp may also be printed in proper position on the address area of the wing 8, as indicated at 36.

After the patch 12 is applied, the blank is folded by folding the wing 8 over the area 7 and the wing 9 is folded over the wing 8 with the side flap 21 sealed along; the vunderlyingedge of the wingv 8- by a stripe of adwith the fold line 6- hesive as indicated at 37, Fig. 5. The bottom flap is then folded over the lower marginal edges of the wing 8 and the end of the side flap 21 and secured by a stripe of adhesive 38. When thus folded, the rectangular area 7 forms one side 39 of the envelope and the wing 8 together with the side flap 21 and bottom flap 10 form the other side 40, the sides 39 and 40 being connected together by the side and bottom folds to form a main pocket 41 open along the closure flap 11.

The gum portions 31, 32 and 33 are applied to the sealing flap and dried so that the gum will not adhere when the closure flap is folded, however the spot of gum 29 is either applied just priod to folding, or the gum spot is moistened so that when the closure flap 11 is folded over the fly 22, a spot seal is formed therewith. This seal holds the closure flap 11 in closed position and retains the fly 22 flatly over the area of the address 34 on the underlying wing 8 to conform with third class postal regulations in that the address 34 for the second mailing is covered and that a quickly detachable or spot seal is effected with the fly or covering portion 22.

Since the lower edge 26 of the fly 22 is unattached and spaced from the bottom flap, the entire corner of the fly may be lifted for postal inspection without breaking the spot seal.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive:

42 designates a blank that is died or otherwise formed in shape from a foldable material and has parallel lines of fold or scores 43 and 44 and transverse lines of fold or scores 45 and 46 to define the sides and ends of a central rectangular area 47, and wings 48 and 49 extending laterally from the sides of the area 47. The blank 42 also includes a closure flap 50 and the bottom flap 51. The bottom flap 51 has an extension or fly 52 which with the bottom flap portion 51 substantially conforms in size to the area 47. The extension or fly 52 is connected with the bottom flap 51 by a line of severance which may comprise a series of perforations 53.

The inner face of the area 47 may be provided with a patch 54 of rectangular shape and positioned thereon with an edge 55 in registry with the score 45 and side edges 56 and 57 spaced inwardly from the scores 43 and 44. The side edges 56 and 57 and the bottom edge 58 of the patch 54 are secured to the blank by stripes of adhesive 59. The edge 55 is free to provide an insert opening 60 to a supplementary pocket 61. The side wings or flaps 48 and 49 when folded on the scores 43 and 44 overlap in the approximate longitudinal center of the envelope and are secured together by adhesive, as indicated at 62, Fig. 7, to form a central seam.

The closure flap 59 has an area 63 for accommodating a gum spot 64 adapted to register, when the blank is folded, with a circle 65 of gum repellant on the outer face of the extension or fly 52. The repellant may be a grease type of ink, and limits the effective sealing area of the spot of gum.

Spaced from the gum spot 64 is a transverse stripe of gum 66 connecting end areas of gums 67 and 68 that are spaced from opposite sides of the area 63 which contains the gum spot.

The envelope blank thus described may be printed on the outer face side, that is, on the side opposite the patch 54, with advertising matter or the like, and corresponding faces of the side flaps or wings 48 and 49 may be printed with a stamp area as indicated at 69 and an address 70 for the second mailing. The extension or fly 52 may be printed on the outer face thereof to form the face side of an envelope for the third class mailing and to include a stamp '71. The circle of gum repellant 65 may also be applied by printing thereof at this time. The inside face of the fly 52 may be printed with advertising or other matter, depending upon use of the envelope.

In folding the blank 42, the side flaps or wings 48 4 and 49 are folded and secured by the adhesive 62. The bottom flap 51 is then folded over the lower edges of the side flaps 48 and 49 and secured thereto by a similar adhesive, as indicated at 72, Fig. 6. When the blank is folded, the area 47 forms one side 73 and the side and bottom flaps the other side 74 of the envelope, and the folds 43, 44 and 46 connect the sides to form a main pocket 73 therebetween which is open along the closure flap-50 to provide an insert opening 76.

With the blank folded, the fly or extension 52 is covering the address 70 for the second mailing and is flat against the side flaps 48 and 49. The closure flap is then folded over the upper marginal portion 76 of the fly 52 and secured thereto by the gum spot 64 to complete the envelope.

The envelopes, constructed as described, are supplied by the envelope manufacturer completely printed, folded, and the closure flaps spot sealed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

The user runs the envelopes thus furnished through an addressing machine to apply the name and address for the first mailing under third class postal regulations, as indicated at 77. When the envelopes are received, the addressee quickly opens the closure flaps by breaking the spot seal. The extension or fly is then easily severed along the line of perforations. For example, in the envelope shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the fly is severed along the line of perforations 20, and in the form of envelope illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, the fly is severed along the line of perforations 53. When the flies are severed, the address 77 and stamp of the first mailing is removed therewith, and since the envelopes have been addressed for the return mailing they are ready for return mailing after the enclosures are inserted, it only being necessary to seal the closure flaps. This is eifected by moistening the large gum areas across the width of, the closure flaps and folding them over the insert openings and pressing them into contact with the body portions of the envelopes. The envelopes are then stamped and posted for return mailing in accordance with first class postal regulations.

From the foregoing it is obvious that applicant has provided a two-way mailing envelope including a back panel provided with side flaps that are connected along the side portions of the back panel and which extend across the back panel with one of the flaps overlying the other, with the underneath flap having an outer edge contained within the fold of the overlying flap and the overlying flap having an outer edge extending freely along the fold of the inner flap, and that the overlying flap has a line of perforations spaced from the fold thereof to cooperate with the fold in defining a side flap, which side flap is permanently sealed to the underlying portion of the underlying flap and which with the seal of the bottom flap provides permanent seals to complete a finished envelope pocket. It is also obvious that the portion of the overlying flap between the line of perforations and the outer edge thereof provides a detachable fly which covers the address for the second mailing and which is retained by the spot seal on the closure flap, and that the closure flap also closes the insert opening after the fly has been detached in preparing the envelope for the second mailing. It is also obvious that the oifset bottom edge of the fly and the unattached outer edge permit lifting of the corner of the fly during the first mailing for postal inspection to determine qualification for third class mail.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An envelope for two-way mailing, said envelope including a generally rectangular back panel having side and top and bottom end portions, flaps connected along said side portions of the back panel by folds and extending across said back panel in overlapping relation, adhesive permanently sealing said lapping portion of the side flaps to constitute a front panel of the envelope bearing an address for a second mailing, a bottom flap connected .5 with the corresponding bottom end portion of the back panel by a fold and overlying the side flaps, adhesive permanently sealing the bottom flap to the side flaps to cooperate with the side folds to close the sides and bottom of an envelope pocket having an insert opening along the top end portion of the back panel, a detachable fly integrally connected with one of said flap-s by a line of perforations and covering said address for the second mailing, a closure flap connected with the back panel along said insert opening by a fold and adapted to overlie an end portion of the fly, a gum spot on the closure flap adapted to provide a seal with said end portion of the fly to retain the fly in face to face contact with the front panel for concealing the address for the second mailing, said fly having two outer edge portions free to permit lifting of a portion of the fly for postal inspection during the first mailing, said gum spot being adapted to be broken loose from the fiy to permit detachment of the fly along said line of perforations for exposing the address for the second mailing, and a gum area on the closure flap surrounding the gum spot for effecting a seal of the closure flap to the front panel during said second mailing of the envelope.

2. An envelope for two-Way mailing as described in claim 1 wherein the fly constitutes a part of one of the side flaps and is free of the bottom flap.

3. An envelope for two-way mailing as described in claim 1 wherein the fly constitutes a part of the bottom flap and has side edges free of the side flaps.

4. An envelope for two-way mailing, said envelope including a generally rectangular back panel having side and end portions, flaps connected along said side portions of the back panel by folds and extending across said back panel with one of said flaps overlying the other, the underlying flap having an outer edge contained within the fold of the overlying flap and the overlying flap having an outer edge extending freely along the fold of the underlying flap, said overlying flap having a line of perforations spaced from the fold thereof to cooperate with said fold in defining a side flap, adhesive permanently sealing said side flap to the underlying portion of the underlying flap whereby the underlying flap and said side flap constitute a front panel of the envelope to bear an address for the second mailing, said overlying flap having a bottom edge portion inset from the corresponding bottom edge portion of the underlying flap from said line of perforations to the outer edge thereof to expose the underlying flap, a bottom flap connected with the corre sponding bottom end portion of the back panel by a fold and overlying the exposed portion of the underlying flap and said corresponding portion of the side flap, adhesive permanently sealing the bottom flap to the exposed portion of the underlying flap and the corresponding end of the side flap to cooperate with the side folds in completing a pocket having an insert opening along the opposite end portion of the back panel, the portion of the overlying flap between the line of perforations and said outer edge providing a fly covering said address for the second mailing and having an outer face for an address for the first mailing, a closure flap connected with the other end portion of the back panel by a fold to close the insert opening and adapted to overlie the corresponding end portion of the fly, a gum spot on the closure flap adapted to provide a seal with said corresponding end portion of the fiy to retain the fly normally in face to face contact with the back panel for concealing the address for the second mailing, said outer edge of the fly and said inset bottom edge being free to permit lifting of a corner of the fly included between said edges for postal inspection during the first mailing, said gum spot being adapted to be broken loose from the fly to permit detachment of the fly along said line of perforations for expo-sing the address for the second mailing, and a gum area on the closure flap surrounding the gum spot for effecting a seal of the closure flap to the front panel during said second mailing of the envelope.

Dye July 14, 1914 Deutchmeister et al Mar. 30, 1954 

